March 1, 2007 9:39 AM PST

Sony NW-A800 debuts in Europe

by Jasmine France
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 6 comments
NW-A800 (Credit: Sony Style)

ATRACLife revealed photos of Sony's NW-A800 series MP3 player not so long ago, but inquiries to my Sony reps garnered no official comments. However, I can now say with certainty that the NW-A800, a video-capable Walkman with an ample screen and Sony's typical sleek stylings, is indeed a reality. The player is now available for pre-order on the company's European Web site, which is listing four colors of the device: black, white, pink, and "violet" (looks blue to me). At first glance, it appeared that Sony was behind the times where flash memory is concerned: The view from the link above only shows 2GB and 4GB models, but some deeper digging reveals that there is an 8GB version as well. So it looks like Sony is set to compete as far as hardware is concerned; now, about that SonicStage software ... no updates, you say? Bummer. Other details are kind of sparse, but here are some key specs:

  • Plays approximately 30 hours of music or 8 hours of video
  • 2.0 inch QVGA High Brightness Colour LCD (240 x 320 dots)
  • Multi codec support (many formats supported)
  • WM-PORT (22 pin connector that allows you to connect your Walkman to various kinds of optional accessories)
  • Hi-Speed USB compatible (USB 2.0)
  • Dimensions: 43.8 x 88.0 x 9.1mm (the thinnest section is 8.3mm)
  • Weight: approximately 53 g
  • Supplied accessories: headphones (MDR-EX082), headphone extension cable, USB cable, software (SonicStage CP 4.3, Image Coverter 3), quick start guide (full instruction manual is included on the CD-ROM)
(Thanks, Nav!)

For more than five years, Jasmine France has covered a variety of tech products for CNET--from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices--but she's happiest where she is now: sitting atop a pile of MP3 players, "testing" every music service known to man, and jamming a variety of earbuds in every shape and color into her absurdly small ears. E-mail Jasmine.
Recent posts from Crave
Reports: Panasonic battery to power homes for one week
Will the Apple tablet be a full-fledged computer?
New, terrifying, no-electronics U.S. flight security rules?
Apple's iSlate: What we know for sure
Best hardware and software add-ons for your PC
Kindle is most gifted Amazon item, ever
Android eHow app: Get and share advice on anything
Will recorded music survive the 2010s?
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (6 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
8 GB model on Sony UK website
by viscus March 1, 2007 10:12 AM PST
There is indeed an 8 GB NW-A808, according to Sony UK:

http://shop.sonystyle-europe.com/SonyStyle/b2c/deeplink.do?servername=www.sonystyle.co.uk&url=www.sonystyle.co.uk&redirected=true&drc=def
Reply to this comment
oops, bad link
by viscus March 1, 2007 10:54 AM PST
Oops, that link doesn't work.

Okay, you have to dig for it a bit. On the NW-A800 model page, switch from displaying 5 models per page to 10.
Thanks for the tip!
by Jasmineflower March 1, 2007 2:30 PM PST
The blog has been updated accordingly. :)
8 GB model on Sony UK website
by viscus March 1, 2007 10:12 AM PST
There is indeed an 8 GB NW-A808, according to Sony UK:

http://shop.sonystyle-europe.com/SonyStyle/b2c/deeplink.do?servername=www.sonystyle.co.uk&url=www.sonystyle.co.uk&redirected=true&drc=def
Reply to this comment
oops, bad link
by viscus March 1, 2007 10:54 AM PST
Oops, that link doesn't work.

Okay, you have to dig for it a bit. On the NW-A800 model page, switch from displaying 5 models per page to 10.
Thanks for the tip!
by Jasmineflower March 1, 2007 2:30 PM PST
The blog has been updated accordingly. :)
(6 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.